LEADERSHIPLocation
Ignite will be held at The Orchard located at 1379 N Coley Rd Tupelo, Mississippi 38801 [Google Map link]
welcome
IT ONLY
TAKES A SPARK
...TO IGNITE THE LEADER IN YOU.
The Community Development Foundation believes at our community’s core, the ultimate catalyst for growth is the ability to identify, engage and ignite the right people. Ignite is a leadership conference featuring world-class speakers, incredible peer-to-peer interaction and an energizing atmosphere. Ignite will get you what you need to grow your leadership skills or those of your entire team.
REGISTER
2025
Ignite 2025 is coming soon!
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM IGNITE 2024!
Ignite, a production of Community Development Foundation, was a huge success! It truly was a transformational day for all attendees learning about building authentic connections (ChrisTuff.me), focusing in the age of distraction (Curt Steinhorst) and discovering your unique path forward (Jade Simmons). Check out this quick recap video of all the highlights and make sure YOU are there to ignite next year—January 30, 2025.
Click here to watch the highlight video on the Ignite Facebook Page.
info
What you need to know
Time
Ignite
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
World Class Speakers
Three impactful speakers will guide the day through an inspiring journey to ignite the leader in you and your community.
Networking
Ignite is not just a chance to hear some incredible speakers, but it is also your opportunity to build your network with other great leaders in your community.
Certificates (C.E.U.)
Are you in search of continuing education credits? You can get them by attending Ignite. Email us for more information.
Eight consecutive years!
Since 2018, Ignite has been bringing high quality leadership experts and skill set developers to the area to share knowledge, insight and inspiration. Ignite 2025 will be our eigth year!
speakers
JON ACUFF
New York Times Bestselling Author & Keynote Speaker
JON ACUFF
Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of nine books, including his most recent, All it Takes is a Goal. Published in more than twenty languages, his work is both critically acclaimed and adored by readers. When he's not writing, Acuff can be found on a stage, as one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges and companies around the world.
ERICA DHAWAN
Author, Entrepreneur & Keynote Speaker on Team Development
ERICA DHAWAN
Erica is the world’s top female keynote speaker helping organizations unlock 21st century teamwork and innovation to drive exponential growth. As we continue to experience an increasingly digital world where work practices are changing at a blistering pace, Erica shares innovative strategies to unlock the collective power of teams, build a culture of trust across any distance and create authentic engagement to ensure competitiveness.
JUSTIN WREN
Elite UFC/MMA Fighter turned Global Humanitarian & Founder of Fight for The Forgotten
JUSTIN WREN
After battling depression, suicide, & drug addiction, Justin experienced a life-changing journey living with the Mbuti Pygmy people of the Congo Basin Rainforest. When he returned he founded Fight For The Forgotten, to knockout the world water crisis. Justin “The Big Pygmy” Wren is a national champion wrestler & a UFC veteran. As a humanitarian he’s the founder/CEO of the non-profit Fight for the Forgotten. Justin’s transformative storytelling Ignites a fire In the human soul that inspires and empowers us to take action that leads deeper purpose, high performance, and long lasting change.
register
REGISTER
Conference Tickets
- Ignite Ticket
- 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Coffee, Drinks & Snacks provided
LIMITED AVAILABILITY
(Just FYI, we've sold out in years past)
WELCOME TO TUPELO!
Staying Overnight?
- Stay overnight in Tupelo during Ignite?
- CDF Member Hotels & Motels
- CDF Member Restaurants
faq's
FAQ's
How can I convince my boss?
Do you need help convincing your boss? Download this WORD (put it in your company letterhead) or PDF letter to help convince your boss. At Ignite, you will gain practical skills and learn methods that are proven to help your work performance and you will learn from real success stories how to be the best leader you can be. You will be in the midst of the best networking opportunity to grow your client base and your circle of influence.
I just registered, now what?
After you register, you will receive a confirmation email that includes your digital ticket. Upon arrival at Ignite, your digital ticket will be scanned for entry. You may print it ahead of time or access it from your phone at the door.
Where can I sit?
You may sit anywhere in the general admission seating area. All seats are first–come-first-serve to Ignite.
What is the food situation?
Coffee, drinks & snacks will be provided.
Do I need money?
Your pre-paid ticket covers your event participation and drinks and snacks during the times already mentioned. You may want to bring money for the on-site book store and merchandise store.
Help! What do I wear?
Jeans, jeans, jeans. Leave your suits, ties and heels at home.
Who puts this conference on? Is it a national conference?
Ignite is developed, created, produced, led, organized, planned, staffed and completely designed by the Community Development Foundation staff in Tupelo, Mississippi. Why? As the local Chamber of Commerce for Tupelo, Mississippi, and the economic development organization for Lee County, Mississippi, our mission is to create more and better jobs. Ignite helps train and identify leaders that will help our community grow and therefore help bring in new businesses and launch entrepreneurial startups. The Community Development Foundation believes at our community’s core, the ultimate catalyst for growth is the ability to identify, engage and ignite the right people. We felt Ignite would be an ideal way to accomplish this mission. Since 2018, Ignite has been a success!
sponsors
2025 Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Program Book Sponsor:
Weatherall's Printing
Education Sponsor:
Toyota Wellspring Education Fund
Bookstore Sponsor:
Reed's
Energy Sponsor:
Tennessee Valley Authority
Weatherall's Printing
Education Sponsor:
Toyota Wellspring Education Fund
Bookstore Sponsor:
Reed's
Energy Sponsor:
Tennessee Valley Authority
Break Sponsors:
ATA CPAs & Advisors
Regions Bank
Photo Booth Sponsor:
Cadence Bank
Pen Sponsor:
Room to Room
Bag Sponsor:
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi
ATA CPAs & Advisors
Regions Bank
Photo Booth Sponsor:
Cadence Bank
Pen Sponsor:
Room to Room
Bag Sponsor:
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi
Leadership Sponsors:
CB&S Bank
Graham Roofing
Renasant Retirement Plan Solutions
Nail McKinney Professional Association
CB&S Bank
Graham Roofing
Renasant Retirement Plan Solutions
Nail McKinney Professional Association
testimonials
Ignite was great! The speakers were wonderful, and we look forward to the event next year! Hunter Douglas will definitely be there. Mike Robinson
Vice President & General Manager, Hunter Douglas
What a wealth of information! What a wealth of information it was for the participants and definately opportunity for lighting a spark in the lives of so many serving various roles in our community! Kim Foster
Principal, Joyner Elementary School
Come prepared! Come prepared! I took 10 pages of notes. Didn't even want to get up to get a drink of water because I never knew what I was going to miss. Exciting, thought provoking, YES! you must attend! Ketra Ruff
First Vice President, BancorpSouth
ignite
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Ignite is presented by
Community Development Foundation
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Refund Policy
...the small print
CDF
Tupelo, Mississippi
www.cdfms.orgCommunity Development Foundation
The Community Development Foundation is a membership-based organization serving to advance the community through partnerships and growth initiatives for more than 70 years.
We are the local Chamber of Commerce for Tupelo, Mississippi and serve as the economic development organization for Tupelo/Lee County, Mississippi.
For more information, please see our website at www.cdfms.org
Please read...
Here’s the small print. Please read and understand the following terms and conditions as they apply to all ticket purchases:
There will be no refunds.
No refund of tickets will be made. If you are unable to use your ticket, you may give it away, sell it to a friend or contact the Community Development Foundation at 662-842-4521 to donate it as a student or non-profit scholarship ticket. We can change the date if the weather goes crazy. CDF may postpone, cancel, interrupt or stop the event due to adverse weather, dangerous situations, or any other causes beyond its reasonable control. If weather-related changes are made to the event date, time or location, notice will be emailed to those who have registered. If an event is postponed or rescheduled, tickets will be honored for the rescheduled date. New tickets will not be issued. If an event is cancelled without a rescheduled date, the purchaser should contact the Community Development Foundation at 662-842-4521.